The Atlanta Dream advanced to the WNBA semi-finals for the first time since 2018, defeating the Washington Mystics 93-75 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 22 points, while Jordin Canada scored 13 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Historic upset for New York Liberty
Atlanta, who had lost in the first round in each of the last three seasons, will host Game 1 of the semi-finals on Sunday against New York. The Liberty swept Minnesota to become the first No 8 seed to eliminate a No 1 seed in the league's 30-year history.
Canada made three-pointers on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter and added a jumper from the free-throw line on Atlanta's next trip for an 89-70 lead with 2:58 left. Canada also had 11 assists and seven rebounds. Rhyne Howard finished with 15 points before fouling out with 6:03 left in the fourth quarter, while Angel Reese also had 15 points and Naz Hillmon added 10.
Ogunbowale's record night for Dallas
Sonia Citron scored 25 points for Washington, and Kiki Iriafen had 15 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the first player in franchise history to have a first-half double-double in a playoff game.
In the other first-round series, Arike Ogunbowale scored a WNBA playoff-record 45 points, including a tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, as Dallas beat Golden State 108-100 in overtime to force a deciding Game 3. Ogunbowale opened the extra period by banking in a three and then hit another to put Dallas ahead for good at 103-100 with 1:46 remaining, easily topping her previous playoff best of 24 points.
The four-time All-Star's off-balance corner three for a 93-93 tie with 4.1 seconds left in Game 2 was followed by Gabby Williams being called for an offensive foul on the inbound play after a Golden State timeout. That call was reversed on replay, so instead of Aziaha James having a chance to give Dallas the lead at the free-throw line, there was a jump ball at center court with 3.0 seconds to go. After a scramble for the loose ball, Golden State's desperation shot was way off target after the buzzer.
Deciding game in San Francisco
The deciding game will be Friday night in San Francisco, where the Valkyries won the series opener by 24 points. Golden State are looking to advance in the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's second season.
